“I’ve missed you, too.” I say and take a deep breath of the smell that is uniquely Gray.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
ONE YEAR LATER
Elly
“Careful. Step up.” His hands are on my shoulders, steering me, and a cloth is tied over my eyes. I just know I’m going to trip and fall over a tree root or something. My hands are on his hips and my head keeps bumping into his chest behind me.
A few more minutes of him giving me blind directions over my head and we stop. I can’t help the smile that’s been glued to my face since he told me he had a surprise. But I didn’t expect a walk in the woods, or I would have changed from my work flats into some sneakers.
In the past year, since I moved to Oklahoma, I’ve become accustomed to the Harlow ranch and learned the trails and some of the most visited areas ofthe reach. I’ve kept my condo in Tulsa that’s close to my job, but in all honesty, I spend most of my time here.
It was the best move of my life. I do miss my parents sometimes, but since I’ve become part of the Harlow’s sanctuary, I’m happier than I’ve ever been.
“Ok, ready?” He asks, his voice close to my ear. His warm breath moves across my ear and cheek, making me shiver.
Unable to stifle the laugh that escapes my chest, I say, “Yes!”
His hands let go of my shoulders and he unties the blindfold. I squint against the orange light of the sunset that’s peeking through the trees over one of the natural spring pools on the property. It’s surrounded by rocks, moss, and spring flowers that are sprouting at the base of the budding bushes and trees.
It’s beautiful.
Gray’s arms come around me and he envelopes me in his warmth and smell, I take a deep breath of him as I grasp his forearms. “Like it?” His deep voice is soft over my head.
In every direction is a beautiful, but different, view. The water is clear, and I can see all the different size rocks that line the pool, and because the air is still a little chilled in the evenings still, the steam rising from the water makes it magical.
“Oh, Gray! It’s beautiful!” I whisper. Each time I scan an area, I see something different that I didn’t see before.
“I thought you would like it.” He says as he kisses the top of my head.
My eyes stop on a picnic basket, a blanket, a bottle of champagne, and some folded up towels on one of the larger rocks. And tucked down into the side pocket of the basket is an EpiPen, a staple that Gray carries with him at all times. “What’s all that?”
“That is goodies packed by Sloane, nut and seed free, ofcourse.” He chuckles over my head.
Pulling away from his arms, I step up onto one of the rocks and squat down sideways to slip the tips of my fingers in the water. “It’s so warm.” I let my whole hand drop into the water and swirl it around.
Gray walks around me to the other side next to the picnic basket and starts to unbutton his shirt. “Care to take a dip with me?”
“Would I?” I say as I stand back up. Walking toward him, I unbutton my silk blouse I put on for work this morning.
When he pushes his shirt off his shoulders and pulls the tail out of his pants, I stop and take in the beautiful, rugged strength in front of me. The muscles and cords of his chest and arms move as he folds the shirt and drapes it over another rock. My eyes travel to his perfect six-pack over the light dusting of hair that moves down the defined, mouthwatering V into the waistband of his jeans.
“You’re staring, Miss Royce.” His voice is deeper and when my eyes meet his, I’m rewarded with the heat of his desire looking back at me.
“I’ll always stare at you, Mr. Harlow.” I breathe and step up to him as I toss my blouse over his shirt on the rock, sliding my hands across his stomach to rest on his hips. The cool evening air makes my nipples peak under my lace bra and a shiver moves down my spine.
His eyebrows tug together, and he looks bothered about something. I stop and look over his face. “What? What’s wrong?”
He winces as he thinks about something. “We have to do something about that?”
“About what?” Confusion is written on my face, and I’m frozen in place.
“Royce. I don’t like it.” His lips tug a little at one side.
Excitement shoots through me as I realize what’shappening and I stop myself from clapping my hands and jumping up and down like a teenage girl. Instead, the smile I have no control of overtakes over my face. “Oh really? Do you have any suggestions?”
The smile I love to look at every day transforms his face and his mostly green eyes look at me with more love than I have ever got from another person. “As a matter of fact, I do.”
